u/CaseAdorable6080

Hi,

It is an upper middle grade fantasy novel of around 80,000 words. I don't have a $2,000–$5,000 budget to hire a human editor; I don't trust anyone with my years of hard work—especially with all the recent news about editors and publishers themselves using AI. This project started in 2021 after a climate poem of mine won a contest, which led to an opening scene. By 2024, I had my first draft in hand. By 2025, I was sitting with a mass of second draft. I also outlined several scenes for up to six books in the series.

Is using AI at this stage justified? What will the AI-haters say? Or should I approach some editorially savvy literary agent?

All of this AI witch hunt is giving me a massive writer's block.

My kid is in the 8th grade and really loves playing chess (self-taught), but doesn't like the idea of competing; he is averse to external training too. I am of the opinion that with some traning he will do well in competitions, and this will show in his university applications. As of now, he has nothing that stands out. My partner doesn't favour the idea of competitions either. Am I being over-ambitious? My kid aims to go to MIT(engineering) someday; he is a good student, but his school isn't very STEM focused. Otherwise, his school offers various global services opportunities, but he isn't interested in any. He's been swimming since grade-2 but isn't counted among good swimmers at school. He is about to give grade-8 (Trinity) electric guitar exam. Have we already missed the train, or is it similar for the kids who make it to the Ivy leagues globally?

Does the dashboard status change after it?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY-BdAdKSyL/?igsh=MWZ3dGFtZjF3ZG5peA==

slop existed before AI